Identification device for automobiles.



L. A. WARD & w. D. CHASE.

IDENTIFICATION DEVICE FOR AUTOMOBILES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 8.1914.

1 15mm PatentedSept. 11, 11115.

I IIIT I II I H "I t; \J

INVENTORS @z ardc/zward IiYNlEORD A. WARD AND WILLIAM I). CHASE, 01E BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

mea re.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. ML, I915.

Application filed July 8, 1914:. Serial No. 849,787.

of this character which will enable the,

proper authorities to determine with certainty the identity of the person to whom the automobile or vehicle number is issued, the device in its preferred form embodying a license or identification number having combined therewith anidentification card which is sealed in such a manner that it cannot be removed or altered by unauthorized persons. One of the advantages of an identification card of this character is that it prevents license numbers issued to one person for a particular automobile or ve-' hicle from being used upon another automobile or by anyone other than the person to whom the license is issued, and it'also enables the authorities to ascertain the identi'ty of the person to whom the license is issued.

.lo these and other ends, the invention consists in certain improvements, and combinations and arrangements of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claim at the end of the specification.

In the accompanying drawing :Figure 1 is a perspective view of an identification device for automobiles; Fig. 2 represents a horizontal section through the device, the seal being removed and the parts shown in separated position; Fig. 3 is a rear view of the device as shown in Fig. '1; Fig. 4: is a detail view of the seal; Fig. 5 is a perspeo tive view showing a somewhat modified,

form of device; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the rear portion of that member of the device shown in Fig. 5 which bears the number and the identification card. I

Similar parts are designated by the same reference characters in the several views.

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. 1-e inclusive, 1 designates the body or lease or supporting member of the device ber and data.

which is adapted to be appropriately attached or secured to the automobile or vehicle. In the present instance, the body of the device has an embossed portion 2 which bears a part of the serial identification num- The body of the device toward its opposite end is formed with a recess or pocket 3 containing an aperture 4. A. transparent plate 5 is adapted to be seated in the recessed or pocket portion 3 to cover the aperture 4 and provide a transparent covering for a card or sheet 6 which latter is intended to be inscribed with a description of the person to whdn l the license is issued. A cover or member 7 is provided which is so related to the body of the device that it will seal the identification card in the pocket or space between the members 1 and 7 in a manner that will prevent its removal, destruction or alteration by unauthorized persons although it may be inspected readily by the proper authorities. In the construction shown, one end of the cover or member 7 has a tang 8 formed thereon which is adapted to be inserted endwise into a slot 9 formed-in the body of the device. andthe opposite end of the cover or member 7 has an apertured lug 10 adapted to register with a similar lug 11 on the body of the device, and by inserting the tang 8 into the slot 9, then bringing together the lugs 10 and 11 (the transparent plate 5 and inscribed card or sheet 6 being in position), and then-applying a seal 12 to the lugs 10 and 11, the identification card or sheet is locked and sealed in the pocket between the base member 1 and the member 7 in such a manner that it is inaccessible without removal of the seal. However, the authorities can readily ascertain the identity of the person to whom the license is issued by viewing the identification card through the aperture 4 and transparent plate 5. The member 7 also bears part of the serial identification number for the vehicle.

In that form of the invention shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the device comprises a body or supporting or base member 13 which is adapted to be secured to the automobile or vehicle, and this body slidably receives a member 13, to receive the identification card or sheet 15, as shown, and a device is provided to seal the identification card in the pocket between the members 13 and 14 and thus prevent unauthorized access to and removal of the identification card or sheet. Inthe construction shown, a pair of pins 16 Yproject from the member 14, the identification card or sheet being impaled on these pins, and a wire 17 is threaded through openings in the pins-extending across the back of the identification card orsheet and a seal l8 is applied to the ends of the wire. Obviously the identification card or sheet is then secured in position in a manner which tion sheet or card.

An identification device of this character prevents the use of license numbers upon automobiles or vehicles other than the one for whom they were issued, it enables the authorities to determine the identity of persons injured or killed in accidents, and it also enables the identity of persons who have abandoned the automobiles or vehicles.

Vhat is claimed is:-

An identification device for automobiles comprising a supporting or base member, a member cooperating therewith to form a pocket between it and the base member, an identification card contained in the said pocket, said second-mentioned member hearing a serial identification number separate from the identification means borne by the identification card and movable relatively to the base member to render said identification card access ble, together with means for sealing the identification card in the pocket between the base member and the identification number bearing member.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LYNFORD A. WARD. WILLIAM D. CHASE. lVitnesses:

CHAS. H. WITTER, HENRY BRUNIG. 

